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At just over 1234 meters (4000 Feet) above sea level La Gran Piedra in Santiago de Cuba is accessed by 459 step climb to the “The Big Rock” or, in Spanish, La Gran Piedra. The viewing platform at its peak guarantees a cooler climate to help you freshen up after the onslaught of step after step. Even though the climb sounds fearful, it takes no more than 20 minutes but, do bring some comfortable shoes along. Legend has it that on a clear night one can see the lights of Montego Bay Jamaica from La Gran Piedra, however on the humid day we visited the visibility was greatly reduced. This fantastic site was declared a biosphere reserve by those great folks at UNESCO in 1987 and at just 20km from the center of Santiago de Cuba its certainly worth your time, especially because the Santiago de Cuba Botanical Garden is close by and it’s easy to combine both in one trip. The massive 50x25x30 meter rock is of volcanic origin, thought to have been pushed to this altitude by the movement of tectonic plates in the Caribbean region. Probably the most amazing view available in Santiago de Cuba and definitely worth the 459 steps to get to the summit!

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Once you have booked your flight to Santiago de Cuba, you can conveniently book your hotel, car rental or any other service on this one website, we are also available on our chat system should you need any personal help with your travel to Cuba or to coordinate your whole trip to Santiago de Cuba. We also offer VIP arrival services, airport transfers and much more, just ask us on our chat system and well coordinate your whole trip for you!

The Casa de la Musica (House of Music) in Santiago de Cuba is an absolute “must visit” place which will undoubtedly become the highlight of your visit to Cuba. Every night you can listen to the intoxicating rhythms of Cuban music while dancing the night away. You’ll meet locals who encourage visitors to get up and dance, some of which are all too happy to lend a hand with your salsa technique. Drinks are reasonably priced for such a popular venue in Santiago de Cuba. La Casa de la Musica is located on Calle Mariano corona, no. 564, just one street west of Parque Cespedes also known as Santiago de Cuba’s main city square. The main music played is Cuba’s infectious “Son” rhythms that are guaranteed to first get your feet tapping and then joining in.

The Parque de Baconao just outside Santiago de Cuba is a must for families with children. Large stone life-size animals such as dinosaurs and modern creatures litter this beautiful park called the Valle de la Prehistoria Park or Prehistoric Valley. Close by you will also find a small car museum with some old relics from the 30s, 40s and 50s. There’s also an aquarium with dolphins and other marine creatures. As a whole day out for the family, there’s a nice mix of things to do plus, the Baconao Park backs up onto some of the nicest beaches in Santiago de Cuba so take your swimwear and sunblock.

The whole 84000 hectares of the park were declared a Biosphere reserve in 1987 by UNESCO and include the; La Gran Piedra viewing Platform, Valle de la Prehistoria, Granjita Siboney (Siboney Indian Reserve) , Transport Museum and the Baconao Lagoon, in which you can see how Taino Indians lived in the territory now called Santiago de Cuba. All this is just 20km from Santiago de Cuba city center and well worth a trip out for the whole day.

Cespedes Park is the epicenter of Santiago de Cuba and offers a perfect insight into Cuban life. The romanticism of Cubans is demonstrated here through; talking, hustling, flirting, guitar strumming groups who offer impromptu musical serenades. Under the watchful eye of the bronze bust of Carlos Manuel de Cespedes, famous founding father of the Cuban independence in 1868, street life seamlessly continues before your very gaze.

Annexed to the Casa de la Trova music hall and blessed by the shadows cast by the Hotel Casa Granda, the Parque Céspedes is probably THE place to see Santiago de Cuba from the inside out. Drop into the Casa de la Cultura Miguel Matamoros for a glimpse into local culture. The neoclassical city hall building or Ayuntamiento can be found at the northern end of the square, built in the 1950s it employs a design from 1783 and was previously the site of Mayor Hernan Cortes office.